A college student is organizing an effort to raise clothing and school supplies to host a Back-to-School Bash on Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at Cornerstone Community Church in downtown Galax.
With many being unable to afford clothing and school supplies, Cornerstone Community Church member and Liberty University student Abigail Cox has spearheaded the event and recruited volunteers in order to help reach the physical needs of the community.
The Back-to-School Bash will offer free clothing, hair cuts, school supplies and backpacks to any student who shows up to the event.

April Wright

Abigail Cox, who is spearheading a Back-to-School Bash, and volunteer Cassidy Williams give up a thumbs up to their success in collecting clothing and school supplies for the Aug. 11 event.

Midway Baptist Church in Galax held a similar event on Aug. 5.
After participating in a mission trip to South Carolina, one town created a Dream Closet, providing clothes to those in need every Tuesday, said Cox.
“And as I was getting things together in my basement, I saw that I had so many clothes in good condition,” said Cox, of how her idea came about. “By holding an event like this, we’re able to show God’s love through our giving. This is something really cool to do to build relationships and show that we care.”
About two weeks ago, Cox began coordinating the event, and the community showed an outpouring of support by donating clothes for school-aged children.
“What better way to help kids in their education and moving forward than providing clothing and school supplies,” said Cassidy Williams, a homeschool senior in Independence who is assisting Cox with the event.
Cox also went online and ordered 75 backpacks to give away. And more donations of school supplies are still needed, including pens, pencils, papers, paste, crayons, to the less obvious items like tissues and hand sanitizer.
To get the word out, Cox has contacted school guidance counselors and other agencies to refer students to the event.
She isn’t stopping at the back-to-school event. In fact, it has given her another idea. She, along with dozens of volunteers and donors, are working to create the Cornerstone Closet, in which the downtown Galax church will store donated clothing and then hold clothing giveaways later this year. That event will be open to all ages.
“We have to meet the needs of individuals physically before we can quench their spirits physically,” said Williams. “We’re looking forward to the big day.”

• To find out more or to make a donation, contact Cox at akcox@liberty.edu or call 233-5364.